LEFFINGWELL RANCH | Sold

Owned by the Leffingwell Family since 1901, this offering is truly historic and may be one of the longest-held family ranch properties in Park County and Southwest Montana.  The next owner of this iconic ranch will be only the third owner since Montana was granted statehood in 1889.

 

Consisting of approximately 970 deeded acres, Leffingwell Ranch is currently being operated as a “working dude ranch” along the trout-rich waters of Brackett Creek west of Clyde Park.  The setting of the Ranch headquarters along Brackett Creek provides dramatic views of the Bridger Mountain Range to the west and the Crazy Mountain Range to the east.  Mid-sized properties, as well as sizable ranches, control much of the private land in the Brackett Creek Valley.   Combined with the vast acreage of U.S. Forest Service land, the possibility of future high-density development in this area is unlikely.  The limited number of homes makes this area of Gallatin and Park Counties one of the most highly sought-after parts of Southwest Montana.

 

Bracket Creek provides an intimate small stream fishing experience as it serpentines through the Ranch for about one and a half miles.  This mountain stream is primarily spring fed and maintains a steady flow even during the fall season when many mountain streams experience decreased flows. Miles Creek flows from the southern reaches of the Ranch and feeds Brackett Creek near the headquarters.  Serving as a prolific spawning stream flowing into Brackett Creek, the owners have never allowed fishing on this stream to protect this critical spawning habitat.  This mountain stream has a steady flow year round.  Several springs have created natural ponds along the riparian bottoms providing additional water-development opportunities.

 

The bountiful elk herds in the area often find protection on the Ranch and frequent the hay meadows and the Brackett Creek bottom.  Located in Hunting District 393, according to the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, the Ranch is in a general tag area providing an easier opportunity to access both bull elk and buck deer tags.